Dog falls out of ute, hangs by collar in dramatic dashcam video

Distressing footage has shown a dog dangling from its neck out of a moving car for several hundred metres before the driver stopped to help it.

Dashcam footage from a vehicle travelling behind captured the dramatic event in November last year, showing the animal flop out of the passenger side of the Ford Ranger about 6.30pm.

The woman travelling behind blasted her car’s horn in a desperate attempt to alert the driver, who continued driving for a considerable distance before realising what had happened.

While the vehicle was in motion, the dog was seen bouncing off the outside of the car while hanging from its neck. The driver seemed to have not realised immediately it had leaped from the ute’s tray.

The video was shared to the Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page on Thursday, and sparked a strong reaction from people who expressed outrage over the dog not being properly restrained.

“Even if you keep your dog in the ute back, it's not hard to properly secure them, or secure a crate back there. This is extremely lucky that that dog didn't break his neck,” one person wrote.

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“Poor dog was hanging there for ages. Please secure your family members properly,” another said.

Others criticised the driver for not realising the dog had fallen from the car sooner.

“It’s amazing how many people don’t use their mirrors regularly like they're supposed to,” someone wrote.

While there are no universal rules stating dogs are not allowed to be transported in the tray of a ute, police can issue heavy penalties to drivers if their animal is injured because it was unrestrained.

Police in NSW can fine a driver $425 and issue three demerit points if an animal is causing them to not be in full control of the vehicle, or if it is travelling on their lap.

Drivers caught with their dog improperly restrained in Victoria can be fined up to $826, while in Queensland, the offence carries a fine of $243.

The RSPCA can also issue fines under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which could see a pet owner face up to six months’ jail and fines of up to $5,500.

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